Show Transcript
Episode 2 – Andre Ayew: Dealing With Pressure And Expectations

Joe Partington Just to get us going, Andre, how does dealing with expectation link into modern day football. Andre Ayew Think in any sports we do, there's a lot of expectations, I suppose with fans, people around people loving the sport, the game of football gives you always expectations, I think in any division when you look at it that way. The expectations will always always be there. But it gets to a point where there are different, you know, levels of, of expectations or the urgency becomes really, really high and important. And I think I'm growing up my point of view today is getting into football, you get into this game as a young boy, right? You love it, you have the passion you have everything that that drives you to play football, you remember, there are games you're watching on TV, or to play as the former players that are that are there. So that's, I think the first drive in, okay, my dad was a great player, so the cell was kind of born into it. And then you realise as getting higher, not even yet being a professional, even when you get to the academy and you're 1516, you realise the pressure started to mount because people sign in their first professional contract at 17 1819. Everyone's role is different. But you know, you still want to get there. So you start to realise like the pressures mountain air and you need to be strong, you need to be tough. And then when you get to that professional contract, and then you look at and you're like, I'm in the first team, and you see all these players ahead of you and you're thinking when am I going to get in. So all that is part of it, then the real expectations come, you know, that's people expecting you to perform people expecting you to be always good. One bad game, and it's the end of the world and data. But I just feel the need to become you to have your aim. Your goal, which is usually to win the game. You can't, you know, change the fact that there'll be pressure, the pressure is there. But how do you deal with it? How do you relate to it? Are you able to, to be at home the night before or in your hotel room in camp and just relax and see things clearly. I think I grew up into that. So I was always under pressure from my young age, always under pressure or Maceda pressure that was ridiculous. So I think growing up into it. You can't say it's easy to learn but it's something that becomes part of you. And others who bring the pressure along the line as they become better players more known etc. People expect much more. I had expectations on me already because of my dad so that was difficult to be fair, very difficult, but I had to I wouldn't say work harder because I was working hard. But I just had to be able to deal with it and focus on that and just be able to play my game which was not very easy at the start because even when you look at the newspapers you can score a goal and you will be in the sun of that other scored then they write your name after so it was a bit difficult but I had one aim was to make My name. And I was able to do that and just took hard work took determination, a lot of criticism coming in you left right centre. When you had the dad who was the best African player of all time, I think you should realise that you're gonna have naturally people who are jealous of you, without you haven't done anything to them. So you have to be able to deal with that and, and take it and be even stronger. And I think I went through it really well, for any honestly, any young guy coming out from his dad's, you know, shadows or the pressure, you know, we have one life we live one life, you just need to do what you know how to do best. Take home, look at your performance, your game, what you can improve focus on the player going to play against, and you will be okay. It's sitting here saying that it's easy. But it is the reality, it is what it is. And you need to calm down focus and look at what it's 11 players on the pitch. Sometimes the pressure is really high, you can't take it away, but you need to do what you have to do. And that's how you can get to the highest level, if you can deal with pressure, I think the players who can't deal with pressure growing up can make it to the highest level. Some players that's not as good as others, but they can do with the demands they can do with pressure and are able to get to the highest level because they have the nerve to control their emotions, you know, on the pitch and off the pitch before and after the game. They Joe Partington you've touched on it a couple of times there but for anybody who isn't aware or doesn't know. I mean, your dad was three time African Footballer of the Year luck is like an absolute superstar. Your uncles were footballers. Growing up? Did you feel like were people expecting you to be a footballer? Or did you want to be Andre Ayew I wanted to be a footballer, um, well, I grew up, like how my kids are now growing up for me, right? So they see me go and play football, etc. So I love the game already. I was young and I wanted to play football. My dad wasn't too keen, because he knows how difficult it is he knows the pressure around it and, and stuff. As soon as I decided that I wanted to play, you know, I had the support, I had the backing and he was supporting me every time. But my uncles, and at that brothers and everyone who's played like a whole family who's played football, were expecting me to do a lot, you know, was expecting me to be able to succeed at the highest level to play for the Ghana National Team, you know, a lot of things. So it was a good thing. But also, there's a lot of pressure on that, because you know that everyone is just looking at you and saying he has to succeed. Joe Partington How old were you when you were aware of that pressure? Andre Ayew 12. Joe Partington So living very young, very, very young. Andre Ayew Because anytime you play football or not whatever, can you be like your dad? Can you play like your dad does what everyone saying? And I was I was left-footed like him. I am like him blah, blah, blah. But he's like, and you'll be like your dad, can you create like that? Can you be able to do what he did in the game? Can you? That was it the whole time? So I was already 1112. And that was the question coming? Joe Partington How did you manage to deal with that pressure at that age, because that's tough? Andre Ayew It is. It is tough. But my dad is a tough person, especially when it comes to football. It's very tough. So he doesn't respect age, if you're more or less is like if you want to play football. So you're going to go through if you can't deal with it now, then you will never be able to deal with it. And that's how I kept on going. So it was a challenge for me to always prove to them to prove to everyone that I'm good. And I will make it. Joe Partington I can't imagine the guys that you were playing with at that age had that pressure on them. Would you ever? Or did you ever feel like you would prefer not to have that pressure? Or we did you just accept it? Andre Ayew accepted it? Yeah. If I had the choice, maybe I like pressure. But I wouldn't want the pressure at that age. Right? But it's something that I had to accept and it's something that my parents or my family put me and made me understand very early that if this is the path I want to take if I want to play football, this is what I'm going to go through. So you're able to make your name on your own, but till then, this is where you're going to see is whether you're ready or not. And it's true, it's left or right. You can't sometimes there's some things that's just there and you can't do anything about it, you have to be able to, to fight it and make sure that you make your own name. So that was my first. You know, my first objective was to be able to make my name. And then I would have been already proud of myself because he said the bus so high to get there was, it's hard. Joe Partington How do you remember specifically how you did deal with that? Like, what sort of stuff were you doing? Was it training or mentally, Andre Ayew um, I think it was a lot mentally psyching myself up, it was more mentally training while you do the no more training, I was very young. So you train with others and blah, blah, blah. But I think mentally, it was 90%. Mentally, I was psyching myself up that this is what I want to do. This is how I wanted to be, I don't want to come out of this game. And let's say making people happy, I wasn't good. Or I'm No, I don't deserve to be my dad, son. That kind of things. So you, it's not easy been in Africa and Ghana, people are really harsh when it comes to football, they don't have manners in a way. So because we canyons we love this game so much that it's personal, it becomes personal. So you need to know how to deal with it. And I mentally was, that's, I knew I was strong because I was never scared, I was never scared to deal with the pressure coming. And I was able to always tune my mind that this is what I want to do. And this is how I want to do it. And tomorrow, this is what I want to happen that you know, find to give yourself already objective trying to give yourself like, no limits, this is what I want to do. This is what I want to do. So every time ask yourself for more. And bit by bit pom pom pom pom maker to a point to everybody was saying he will make it you know, by took time, a lot of time and sometimes was hard. Sometimes I have to go into my room and after when you're young. So 13 go into your room and you cry because of what people are saying outside. I never cry in front of them, you know, you're growing your room and you come out again, the next time you go again. And that was it because that's what I wanted to do. And I had to go through that to be able to succeed. Joe Partington It's quite unique that you talk about at a young age, having targets and setting yourself, this is what I want to do tomorrow, this is what I want to do. This is what I need to do to get to here. I mean, that's, that's not common in terms of young guys. Now. I can't imagine a lot of them do that. Looking back now, do you think that was an important part of your development as a player, very, Andre Ayew very important. And I think that also came to you. Um, as I said, I'm lucky due to my dad, he was playing football, he was already hard and he didn't respect age, he never respected age, in that kind of when it comes to football. So like, if you want to do that today, if you do this, then tomorrow, you have to do this. If you run 30 minutes at this level, then tomorrow, you have to add 40 minutes at this level. And that's how he was, you know, every, every day. And so I always had to challenge myself with high standards from always early. He always does. That's how my, my dad was. And he put it into us. And you know, took it in very young, but I knew I wanted to play football, I didn't have any other dream. That was I think maybe younger people grew up and that dad maybe is a doctor is this and they have different dreams and like football also. So they go and play football and but me as soon as I was 1011 12 I didn't want to do anything. I just wanted to play football. So I had to go through make me become a professional footballer Joe Partington at the age of 16, which is still like incredibly young. Obviously, you move to my say 15 1515 years old, as even younger. And you know, again, you talk about your father, you win the Champions League and my say so that was a big deal and more pressure of being in an environment where you're, you know, your father's reputation almost is enormous. What was your ambition when you went there? Did you have your own ambitions? Andre Ayew Yeah, I think well, could have gone to different academies. They wanted me then. But with the story, the history and then the president of the club, who was was very, very close to my dad To me, so rest in peace pub geofoam was said no, I have to come to Marseille. There's no way that I'm going to go to another club. So came, things went, well signed. And then everything started from there. I remember coming there was straight away and I was in Africa. Okay, right. I used to come to you for holidays and blah, blah, blah. I lived in Africa, my dad after his career was based in Ghana. So I used to come here for holidays, etc. But I didn't used to live here anymore. So like, Palestine, that is and that isn't that isn't so fed away already. Everyone wants to see what he's going to do. You know, like, He's here now. But what's he going to do on the pitch? You know, and first month's first few months were hard, very hard. Mentally, far away from my family. I was in Ghana had a great life in Ghana, I was playing football, but my dad has a big house, have a great life in Ghana. So coming here, you go into the academy life, you know, waking up in the morning, going to school, that comeback training. That's quite often different to me at adapt. Now, that was where everything, everything started, Joe Partington did you growing up before you move to my say, we were aware, to obviously to become a professional went into play at an elite level, you were going to have to move away that that was something you're going to have to do. How did you feel about that? Andre Ayew It was hard. Because like I said, we've had a great life, and my dad and my parents gave us the best education and the best life that we couldn't dream of. So for me, you leave, you're leaving, you know, a comfortable zone, you know, a comfortable life to go and start yours, which is not even sure that you're gonna make it. You know, that's the whole point when you're an academy is not sure you're gonna make it but it's what I wanted to do. To to risk I knew that if I wanted to go because I started to realise when I was watching Premier League or French league, etc. When I was in Ghana, I realised that plays 1718 We're playing first in football. Not we can work out then now maybe a bit more. But then like, come in the games and professional contracts few matches that are the Champions League. Thinking Wait, if I'm 1415 and I'm not yet in Europe, how am I going to be able at 18 to be there? That was my worry. Like that was what I was scared off, right? So I knew I had to leave. It was as simple as that. And you had to leave and as soon as clubs got interested, and the chance came I took straight away Joe Partington you but you did make your debut at 18. So So you will say those 17 or 17 off for the year both sides. Yeah. I mean 717 years old is like if that was the level obviously that you wanted to get to when you did that. And obviously with all the pressure and expectation that was on you. Was that a nice feeling to do that but like you've spoken about how to that you wanted to to make your own name in the game, but did you feel that like you're on your path to do that? Andre Ayew Yeah, it's great. It's a great feeling I can remember like it was Joe Partington yesterday and describe it for Andre Ayew nights it's difficult to describe let's be honest, but it's a feeling that no one nobody can give give you that feeling nobody can I think I understand what you're going through but at that age getting the biggest club in France being able to get my debut at that age was incredible I didn't believe my eyes already when I was going to sign my professional contract already was something big. I was thinking like okay gonna fight that I will see what's gonna happen then and then boom, went for preseason us and played war preseason, because a lot of the first team players go into nationals right so they come later. So you you the younger ones have the chance to play the first 20 games. And then things went well then more or less not stayed in the team but stayed in the squad, or was among the squad and that's how things went. And I had my debut really, really early in the season. I think that third or fourth game was something for me was I can't See, like, I've achieved by achieved my dream to play for Olympic Marsay players grew up having dreams to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona, my dream was to play for Marsay. You know, that's my dream. And so achieving my dream was just for me standing in, today, nothing can can can replace that. They that feeling the output was too hard work without knowing that the hardest was to come. And that was the craziest thing that was to come was to be able to stay in the team play and keep going. And that was hard. Joe Partington So you, you spoke about at the start of our conversation, different levels of expectation and how they change as you as you progress. So I think probably the expectation on you at that point was, you know, is Andre gonna get in the team. And now you've made your debut? How did that expectation change? And were you aware of Andre Ayew that, um, as soon as you make your debut already, your status change as a person, the status change, even the players in the squad see you a bit differently. You become very important for the Academy players behind you, or your friends are 17 Oh, my friends are playing in the second team on the 23 Global my friends, were not the first team players. They were my senior for like senior guys, and then having to do the first one then, like, yeah, I want to have that feeling again. Yeah, I want to start a game. And then you start to want more, want more, want more, and you start to you know, keep going and working harder. Trying to understand what the coach wants you to do to be able to have a chance what, and just creep and creep and creep and creep in, then you have low setbacks, injuries, or whatever, or a new coach coming in and doesn't like young players or doesn't want you and, but you keep going, going going. And I think he's just a matter of being ruthless, being just unstoppable in your head. Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going up on one point, and you kind of become unstoppable in your kind of way, because you're achieving your, your aim and you have only one thing in mind is to get there, and you're ready to do anything possible mentally, physically to be able to do it. And most of the time, if you're ready, mentally you you will make it you will make it Joe Partington at that age did you have do you have like a training routine or training habits? What sort of stuff were you doing, uh, you know, away from, like team practices that were helping you, you know, to progress at age, um, I Andre Ayew was quite young, I had one of my personal trainers then. Not a lot of gym when I was young, to be fair, but a lot of technical work, I did a lot of technical cost of first team trainings, passing movement, ball control touches, shoot, and I did a lot of that after, after training sessions like club training session, I did a lot of that because I wanted to, to have something more than others, I wanted to have something as a young player to be always able to be in the squad. So I was working really hard physically. Then anytime we used to run I used to be I think the highest run around in the in the team every time so I used to call like, if I don't play really well. Today, I'm going to run a modern everyone I'm going to give everything everything so it's even still difficult for the manager to move me you know that kind of things in my like I said, I was lucky because I had my uncle's, my dad, etc, who have played so you have different ideas that come into, into you into into into your brain or different ideas that they give you. Look at this point, look at this, look at that. It's not everyday, you're gonna have a great game, but they are not having a good game. You should push more to defensive that or be smart try to get a goal on corners, trying to find a way to to be important in that game. So you know, then you start to understand the game differently. You start to learn, but the problem with that as you're learning you're learning but the expectations become more and more, not only from yourself, but from the people now because they realise that this guy's good and he's one of ours. And he's the son of. So you know, it's so many things and you just have to be like, Okay, let's go. And you keep going, and you keep going and you keep going. It's hard, mentally. But that was like you asked me right now, the fact that I could train outside with my coach, technical, I did a lot of technical work a little bit of physical, but a lot of technical work. And I think he, it made me jump the stages quicker. Joe Partington It's interesting that you talk about had knowing to do extra to get to the level that you want it to be from a really early age. And I mean, there's probably a lot of guys now, at that age a little bit younger, who just train what they're supposed to do they go to their club training session. And that's it. Do you have any advice for those guys that have what to do? As well as to improve? Andre Ayew I think you need to do more than others, if you want to get more than them. It's as simple as that if you want to be more famous than them, if you want to be if you want to succeed more than them, and you have to do more. It's simple as that. But in, in what we are now it's it's a different. I think, what 10 years ago, when I was 20 I was different mentalities. Now it's kind of social media, a lot of a lot of bluff more than work, you know, I mean, it's, it's weird. It's funny, when I'm talking about work is see a lot of people put in videos. And that's not working, working is not for people, you need to work your way you need to work. And if you're posting it, hopefully, you're really doing it, you're not doing it to show off show off that I'm doing something to get warm in. Because I can just make one shot one run and post it. And everyone thought, oh, he was running all day. But you know, I mean, so I think you just need to focus, do what you have to do do training, especially if you're already a professional boy and a young coming. And the younger ones if you can, if you have the chance or your parents can help you either financially or wherever to get a personal trainer who's good to help you to jump the stages quicker. Yes, it's it's very important but it's not also easy for everyone. When you're young you know when you look at whether financially with school or anything that's around it, you don't know what it is always difficult to tell someone who's very young this that that you have to do because you see a kid telling his dad that I need a personal trainer nananana but they can't afford it. You know what I mean? So he has to find a way to train harder in another way. It is what it is, you know is hard but it is what it is. But those who are already professionals, who was 16 1718 Gayndah need to work harder. You need to I think you have certain qualities that you have naturally since you're young since he is there. And you have some that you don't and I think you can work on everything. Physical, technical, tactical, because I think tactical. Now is very, very important in this modern football. Joe Partington You as well as my say you will also play in loads of football internationally. You were the captain of a you know other young guy and a team that won the FIFA World Cup. They were in the African Youth Championship, which is incredible. Was the pressure that you are under different when you are playing for Ghana than it was when you were at my say or do people still expect a lot from you? Andre Ayew Jam as much more as more than a masa. It's ridiculous. In Ghana, the pressure is something else. Yeah. I think growing up I never felt pressure before a game. When I was in a dressing room, I was always relaxed, calm. Confident, but when you have to wear that kind of Jersey. It's different. The weight on you is different. The you feel it no player can no Ghanaian player can sit here and tell me that when he's coming to the national team and as soon as he gets into the bus to go to the stadium, that feels okay. I don't believe you know, it's something strong because Ghana has this history Football this big players that has been in the country and big leaders and big guys who have made won trophies and so the p n is what we love. And Ghana it's that's all football, football, football, then politics, but football. So everyone is focused on that. You know what I mean? And the pressure there is like when you're playing, everybody's watching everyone you can say wherever everyone and everyone is a coach, everyone is this everyone is that. So that pressure would come as enormous, enormous. And that's where I know that because at the start when prefer to stay down the pressure going to play game, I never really like talking about you no pressure. But when the for the beginning when I was going to start, especially with Ghana, for my first years, it was because they demanded a lot from me. And they were hard with me harsh with me. The media, it was very difficult was very difficult for me to to make Ghanians accept who I am. And my my power on the pitch. It's difficult, but it was a name for me. It was I'm the kind of guy who likes to change people's mind. And I did it and I'll keep doing it. And I'll make sure they'll bring a trophy for my people. That's that's what they're waiting for me to do. But to talk about international football, and MMA say or Swansea your you know, Westham it's the kind of pressures another level. And it's just what it is. Joe Partington Was it. So at that young age, feeling like having success with the national team like was that a big deal at the time. Andre Ayew So now, we're the first African country to win under 20 World Cup. Still the first only African country so shows how big it is. And it was something enormous in a country when we got back from the World Cup the whole country was outside is something that can never, never forget. And we will never forget and discord, my players, my friends were all together away. Hi, is the Lou Lou nice family to be you know, we did something that marked Ghanians but most importantly, Africa or Africa back on top, the youth 20 tournament at a time because never happened. And that gave me hope that gave me another dream. And that and that gave me some credit, much more credibility with all the Ghanians because being the leader of the being the captain of the side, who won the African Cup and the World Cup, that has never happened, gave them a bit harsh on him. Now let's let's support him a bit more or less be behind him a bit more. Maybe he can do better things in the future. And that's I think that was the turning point where Kanye start to give me the heart and that gave me everything that I needed to grow up as a as a player in the international level, even though there's too harsh with me, but I know that it's not harsh because of anything is harsh, because we lack a trophy for so many years now. And that it's everything just gets everyone in nervous. So, but that time, the 20 tournament change, change everyone's perception in Ghana. For me. That's a fact. Joe Partington That was very nice feeling. Andre Ayew Yeah, very nice. Joe Partington Back joining a time of Marseille, like you spend a couple of seasons on loan and this I think it was a second season you were promoted running into the obviously to Ligue one. And that must have been nice that you were you know that you were being successful you're in a successful team, you're scoring goals at club level, even despite maybe that it was like not with my se, but that period of time must have made you feel like you know, I'm on the right path to becoming an you know, a top player. Andre Ayew That was an important part of my career. Very, because I was having little gametime amasi then I was coming on sometimes thought. Then I got the chance to go to the national team, I had the chance to play in the African Cup of Nations at the senior levels, and I was what 18 1718 And I realised I wanted to keep my sport in the national team. And then when I look at the national team, my questions filamentary Steven appear somewhat like, John, and it's ridiculous players all over the pitch and how am I going to be in the squad if I don't play? Then, after the whole season, I decided to go along. First one went really well. Norio had about 2829 games out of the school, a few went well, but didn't start those 28. I think I started about 14, something came on a bit. But then I was at 19. So but I was in a hurry. Because I want I never, I never wanted a call up to come from the Ghana National Team. And I'm not in because of gametime. It's not something I could live with, because I tasted it. And I didn't want to come out of it, you know. So then came back to Moscow went on another loan, second division because I wanted to play every game. That's fact. And then they went really, really, really well. Really well. Coach there, Stefan, the guys that like, it's, I think one of my best seasons, not only on the pitch, but I mean, off the pitch, the squad, the lads, the whole thing in my career to today is it's great guys. We achieve something great. When we go to the gym, that's when I went to assay. So did you Joe Partington realise before that season, or even obviously sat here now you said that was really important to that you did that? Did you realise how important it was going to be before. Because I mean, if we obviously include other people listening and other players playing, sometimes a loan can be seen as a negative experience, or can be seen as something that they don't want to do, but you're talking about as being something really special, Andre Ayew I think alone has to benefit you in the club. And some loans are not beneficial because the player is here to get some minutes. And he's not getting those minutes. So I don't know, if I'm a mass a player and a common loan to, to, I don't know all of in your Lorien. And I don't get the minutes, then let me let me be a masa and I'll get the minutes. I'm training with the best players in the country, the best players, some of the best in the world, why should I leave there, come to a low team and not play. But you have to reserve your place, you know, even in the lower team to play. So it's, it's for me, it's positive when you're young, and you don't have the chance to get minutes or your club. But it depends on also how the club wants to deal with you how the club wants to the plan, the manager and the people have for you. You know, and that's also very important because a manager can make you and break you. That's how it is. And then. So it's important that a young player knows that he has to know His plan and also try and see through what the plan they have for him. And if he goes on loan, if he's especially the big clubs and you go on loan, and you do you have to go there and do your job. And as soon as you do your job, you're coming back with more power more experience more. You're naturally a bigger player. And you also realise the luck you have of being in that big club. When you go down there and realise how it is the comeback and I'm going to do everything stay in that. I think that's very important for young, younger players to understand that. It's never easy, Nothing's easy. You need to go look for it and some players who have not gone long. Stay in the big club and pom pom pom pom pom and they play some has to go 345 loans. Some have to go change club and they work elsewhere. Everyone's role is different but to as long as you have your aim your dream. You're ready to sacrifice anything for that. I always believed you make it. That's my belief you'll make Joe Partington in those two years or the next two seasons of my say were incredibly successful. I mean, you were an enormous part of that. You know, the one the league both years you want to cut both yours? was Did you really start to feel then lock up that you were an, you know, top top of the game elite player? You know, he must have felt good. Andre Ayew Yeah. Then I knew the under playing Champions League playing, woke up playing. Now he couldn't lie I was there. Joe Partington How did the How did the we're talking about, you know, people expectation and pressure. How did that change from when you were a young player, trying to prove to everybody that you're good enough to now people know that you're good enough, you're, you know, you're playing at the top top level. And the expectation, every game now is for you to perform, how difficult it was, you know, the pressure change. Andre Ayew Um, I think it was a difference of pressure. It wasn't to prove people anymore, that I'm Andre, and I'll be able to make my own name or can make more name, it was the pressure of a high level team, the pressure of a team that wants to win every week in week out, it seemed that gives you a contract, gives the players contracts with a lot of money. When at a young age, because they want to win, they're not giving you the contract, because you're nice. So you, the pressure becomes different because you've become an important part of the team. As a young, very young player, and he plays around, you're 3032 3334 big names. And you're among them, and meetings in that near the baby who they saw you two years ago, going up and down loan, blah, blah, blah. So changes. And now you have to prove that I'm worth my new deal. I'm worth being among when they're talking about the best players of the club have been in the after make sure that in the Champions League, I proved that I can play and play well in the Champions League after it's, it's a different different ballgame. If you forget about all this, my dad, and that's now like I broke that that was gone. So now how to? Can I be among the best African players? That's the next one. That was how I got there. How did you Joe Partington So what sort of stuff we doing to do that? Andre Ayew A lot of first of all, Marcy was working every three days kind of thing. So we had a lot of games had a lot, a lot of games. Every three days Champions League or Europa League, or whatever. So a lot of treatment, taking care of myself, couldn't do a lot of personal training density at that period, couldn't do a lot of personal training, but could do more CO little things. But a lot of it was more mental work. It was now it was all about being fit. Because I was young, I still need to progress. But I'm playing week in week out. So you can't really work in training how you should be as a 20 year old or 21 year old. But you need to progress so I was progressing a lot by videos. The addition the coach then was filming me everything, every detail of my game de F Tito my game, this that every day, every two days, had a video, had a video, when we go training, I want you to do this, I want you to do that way to play like that. So I was lucky. Like I said the manager can make you can break. He covered me, protected me and made me get to where I had to get by, by showing me every single thing you had to, you know to show me in every detail mentally how you speak to me, this is what you need to do this how you need to do now you're here, no need to get here. Now you're there, you need to get here and I you know, it was more like I was even setting my goals anymore. At that particular point he was setting them for me. So telling me you can be there. While you're here. I want you to I want you to there is no age, there is no age and then I kept going so it was a lot of mental work and if you do work and trying to stay to stay fit. Joe Partington I think it was quite interesting. There is is what you talk about being fit and playing all these games, especially at the moment when especially this season of schedules were pretty relentless. So there might not be a period of time that you know that now The norm to be better is to seem to do more. And I've got to do extra after training, and forget that being involved in a match day in playing is actually the most important thing. So if you don't have the time to train extra, actually spend the time recovering and making sure that your fitter plays is really important. I think that's, that's quite interesting that you've said that, Andre Ayew it's very important, sometimes the so much training is resting. And when I was younger, maybe I didn't understand it too much. But today 30 that you want, you understand it in a different manner, you get certain things, that doesn't mean that you have to train sometimes you have to train really hard, but that's sometimes why your body needs to recover because even a machine needs to get reset, you know, I mean, so you need to recover and to be able to deliver and to deliver again and as long as you know your body you know, what is good for you and that's what's important for a player you need to know what's good for you. And as soon as you know what's good for you, then you see that you've done 50% of the of the work to be Joe Partington your manager at the time you obviously speak about him you know with such high regard was there anything was any like long lasting information or advice that he gave you during that period of time that that stays with you now? Andre Ayew Yeah, just always said Be yourself. Work as hard as you can and you always be a top player because you have any what no matter the circumstances no matter where you find yourself with any degree Slobodan difficult situation. You are who you are. And you just need to keep always going and keep proving people wrong every time every time and that's you and that's when I realised that anytime I got into my career was always like that I always had that feeling like they don't regard me to where I should or they don't see me where I should be. And I always have to prove people wrong and prove people wrong and keep going and it is what it is. You know, I enjoy it other to be fair, and enjoy now. Joe Partington When so when the opportunity arose to come to Swansea first of all what was your understanding of the Premier League at the time and and what was your ambition before that move? Andre Ayew To be honest, was the boy who wanted to be like the Toyama say I didn't want to move that was my dream going up and by then the the owner may so rest in peace died then things change at the club there was no more money there was no more cetera so we couldn't follow up with the wages with the club's ambition bring in players and we all we all left us isn't about 1011 players after the bo season Amasa we all left so then if I'm not a martyr, I have to go to England. I was had don't get me wrong that always was thinking behind my back. I like to play in a Premier League it's a dream to play in the Premier League but I want my say and my dream has mercy You know, I mean so it's it was a 50 5050 thing but when things went well we only understood that we had to leave you know we had to leave and Swansea came up few clubs came up different countries blah blah blah blah Swanzey came up and the style of play the the idea of being in the Prem was was big for me. Especially for Ghanians because that's what they love so could have gone Italy could have gone Germany but the Ghanians wanted to see me in England for them if I'm leaving Marseille I have to go to England so I needed to look at the club where I would go with my style that would be okay in every sort of ways. So I looked at everything and went Sunday everything went well quick shop in a few days I was done okay move on the really enjoy enjoy enjoy here to Joe Partington the was a was a Premier League different how was it different physically the French league Andre Ayew physically so how to adapt and work harder physically, physically to be stronger. That was important. I think the games in the premier so intense that you needed to be to be ready for the to keep going and keep going and keep going. And I want you know, of looking at the whole pieces in here. So got a bit of a taste of it in the preseason games and blah, blah. And soon as I started playing, get used to the rhythm. So working really hard off the pitch to be fair, but there's no training because it was one then there was no more Champions League Europa League because I left side. So now it's playing Saturday, Saturday most of the time and I could work in the middle of the week physical training, actually to work explosive work, where my trainer used to come from France and was working a lot and a very good season. To be fair. Joe Partington That was a mean Yeah, you did have a very good season. And I don't think Swansea fans will will hate me for saying that that year that they were you know, they they sort of trying to become established in the Premier League. They were they were underdogs in in most games that they played. What was that? Like? Being involved in a team that maybe wasn't expected to win? you'd gone from obviously expecting to win every game? To people being happy if you did win a game, if that makes sense? Andre Ayew Yeah, go What do you mean? Joe Partington How how, like, what was that like going from one environment to another was weird. Andre Ayew Not weird. Like, the club is not ambitious? Because we had players who were very ambitious, actually, William Sigurdson. Gomez, show v. Key these are guys who wants to win every every weekend. Let's get let me be honest. And I think that's why Swansea was was there for those years because they had guys who were men who wanted to let the club be beer as high as he could. But it's true that you know, when you might say then masa is let's say, United or the city. in Liverpool in in France with Leon in Paris. People expect you to win every week. So now come in, you're like you're going to the game. Okay, so that means expect expectations is a little less from when you're playing a Liverpool or when you're playing a Chelsea or when you're playing ask no. It's like if you win Well, we had to adapt to to that feeling how to adapt to not winning every week. Because I must say Well, last one week it was the end of the world. No, you lose the game is the end of the world and hey, like you lose this like stay calm, calm, no problem. Fans, okay? Just go work and we win the next one, you know, calm down, focus on the next game. So it was more like you had time to digest the defeat. Which is better to be fair. This is which is better because you have time to digest it and take a deep breath and go again. You know, you lost you know, you haven't done well, you know you want to win. So pop in them close my says like, and the whole week you switch on the TV, ma se la se, la se la se la smart is like, it's just there. So it's, it's difficult to get it out of you. But Swansea losing versus my new maybe people like okay, my new beat Swansea and we I learned about we did not accept it. As a team, we were not. We didn't care if it was Man United or Chelsea or Liverpool, whatever we went on to the pitch to to win, because we had quality and character for that in that group of squad and I enjoyed myself so much because we all believe in ourselves that we were big players, we all told ourselves that we are big players. So we need to make sure that we show it not only versus maybe the teams who are struggling in the relegation battle, but to make sure we show even with the ones on top then we're able to do Joe Partington I think that's I think that's really interesting that you've come to an environment where maybe the pressure is probably the least that you've ever had from the outside. But the pressure you put on yourself to perform and to show everybody that you were you know a top premiership player became more because of the outside pressure was off that's that's something that's obviously like the top elite players. If for anybody listening or watching to this, that if you want to get to the top level, you've got to share that sort of personality that's that's pretty important. Andre Ayew Very, I think is very important. You have to have self belief build up fire in you, you know, build a fire as soon as you lose the fire. You're 50% less you know, good player 100% But that fire in you you have to build it you have to make your goals and every buddy situation is different on I mean football, so clubs or any injuries or whatever everyone's situation is different. But look at your situation and make the most out of yours. You know what I mean? And get ready to work for, for yourself for your family. When you do that to your best, and you're helping your team. So, think find the thing that motivates you, what really makes you want to play football? Why do you want to play the interest, the passion? Some people wake up and say, No, there's a lot of money on football now and I want to be a football or okay, but if it's the money, but if that's your motivation, and that's gonna be making you run and work and go good. So be it. But find your motivation to make you some of the Passion some this is the glory semester fame, everyone has his own, but you need to find your motivation. And we then found our motivation by I felt that we all felt we were big players. No, no one ever said it out of the mouth. But when you look at the body language, when you look at Ashley Williams coming in, Routledge coming in, you had not Kofi ki jonjo. shelvey, you know, we believe we were big players. So we didn't hear anybody. And we came with a lot of pride. And I just was always high. We had big ego in the squad. And that's where I think we took us to two to get those kinds of performances against the big teams. Joe Partington I mean, it certainly helped in in your respect, because you end up moving to West Ham for a club record fee at that time. I mean, that that is obviously an example of of your own mentality, being able to push you on to a new level, when you sign a club, record fee. What sort of we're talking about that shift of pressure from one situation to another? What pressure you now under off the back of that and how did you feel? Andre Ayew Now you're in the limelight? Clearly, you're the one in the line of the club, because you're there because Joe Partington you're good play has pushed you into that position. Andre Ayew Yeah, so now you're in the real Limelight in a way in to see what you're going to do here so the Western fans are expecting the word is expecting Ghana is expecting the Premier League is expecting to see what Andre is going to do and you know, you you can go under a lot of pressure I was I was okay with it. But I was very unlucky when I got my first game got injured for a very long time should That move was was a good move. Um, big club. Big fan base. And then you know Aliwal I really wanted to make your work there but it was sometimes you go somewhere and it gets to a point where you feel like it's not meant to be not that is not going to work but you just feel like I'm working hard and never get injuries all of a sudden I'm getting injuries every time that is not meant to be and honestly when village left also gave me wasn't the same again like that because everything was not always right for me. And some people told me I wasn't patient enough because I had a bad injury. But you know, I wanted to come back and straight away bom bom bom bom bom. I think I didn't Well, not bad I was dumb. Could have done much more if there was no injuries in between. But I just felt like it wasn't right. I was doing the same training, same stuff that I was getting injuries that I never had before and just kept kept me doubting. And till then I never doubted myself. So when I start to doubt in your head, what's going on I was again injuries, I'm not 100% data data, then you start to think and then out comes into your head and you have to be strong then then you need to be stronger. Make the decision that you think will be good for you to try and get back to that confident level where nobody could could stop you in your head you know, I mean, and that's was what was important for me and but you know, was a great time I was Tom. So our friends there and you know, like I said, religious left. I was in the same infamy I'm talking personally wasn't the same again for me and I just feel like He was the place for me, for me to be on this had him feel at home because the players around and people made me feel good. I was just like, a player who's played in different clubs, international, blah, blah, blah, you never have those injuries. You never, I just felt like he wasn't meant to be left when I left last time, I didn't have an injury for two, three years, funnily enough. Joe Partington I am, I think I know the answer to this question. But the to give people an example of your elite mentality and why you were so successful is when you move to a club that seen as obviously like a great move a lot of money. How long do you spend feeling good about yourself? And how quickly do you change that mindset to? I've got to work hard again. Andre Ayew I don't even think you have time to feel good about yourself. I thought so. Yeah. I don't think you have time to feel good about yourself. Because you know what you're doing? I think I think you always feel good about yourself. When you finish and you watch the highlights of a game. And you see what you've done in the game. I think then you're home feeling good. You feel paid well today, like well, I did think that's when you really feel feel good, you know, but for me, no, I didn't really have time to, to focus on the to think about reconciling, I didn't have time for that. Just went pom pom moved, signed, play the game for Five Games Five days later, injury for four months if I want, you know, so it was a quick, quick turnover, let's say but I think as a person, as a player, you need to be able to face when it's hard. If you can't deal with it, when it's hard when you're down there, when everyone is you know when you know the worst thing about I think football are elite sports. And with the media and everything around it, you have so much positive, but you also have negative and when the negative stuffs come is that when you go and down, you have no one trying to pull you up, they're trying to even make you go deeper. And that's when you have to be you have to be strong and you have to be able to come out of there. And that's when your family comes into play. Parents, kids wives, that's when all those things become very important to you as a person because you realise that I'm going down here but no one is helping me when you read the news, when you read maybe that paper dad, he's not is that record, he signed in and added that I Okay, okay, becoming toffee, that then anything you do, they don't want to see a positive because they just have a negative image already. So that's what is staying on you. And you have to be able to change it. And I was able to do that. I was even Western before I left I was able to do that I can say Western fans and I'll say Andre was the best player we had because things didn't go but um, when after the injury and things I came back scored a few goals bom bom bom and fans were were happy with me and you know, things started to get good, better. And then another injury is getting off. But you need to stay and stay focus and keep going. And for me it was tough. Though the first time I faced adversity in my career, that was I was what 26 Maybe enough played everything. I when I was 26 I played everything. So I do understand why I should suffer? Or why I should find it difficult now. I think my ego was touched a lot and had to pull up and record on Joe Partington how difficult was that period of times like say you had an enormous amount of success from an early age and and almost like you just continued to have success. Suffer a couple of injuries which which makes it difficult for you to play it. You know the level that you've set yourself. For people who do. I mean, I've suffered a lot myself. For people who do ended up, you know, injured out for short, long periods of time. In your experience, how can they help themself to get back to the level that they were? Andre Ayew When you need to be strong mentally? First of all, I think you need to be strong mentally. You need to get to right get the treatment right try and get the best physios the best doctors. Whatever it is, to get a right, because if it's not right, you cannot be who you were before. I don't think it's possible, you know, and you need time. So if you've been injured for seven months or eight months, don't think that eight months you come back in at the same. It's not possible even though people are going to demand the same fans are going to demand the same manager is going to demand the same, but it's not possible. just human nature, it's not possible. So that's what I think people need to put into players. Mind, the reality of it is that if you have been injured for six months, global globally, it's a year, because you need six months to get back to your normal shape, or whoever. Yeah, so it's, it's little things that I think players, younger ones need to know that some players get injuries really young. And maybe the great players in the country make it because of their injury. And give up. And that's where I agree that the injury can make you make steps back. And it's hard to come back. And it's hard to understand. And I agree with that with anyone because I've seen it, I've experienced it that injuries, you know, made me ask myself what's going on here. But I don't accept when you give up. I don't accept it, I it doesn't go with me, it doesn't stick with me. And if you're a player and you want to achieve, and you can't deal with difficulties where there's injuries, where as a gaffer, no, put in your coffers, that you stay at home on the weekend or whatever, when you give up. You're gonna make it because even those who are even another level than me were higher than me even. I've been criticised as suffering with injuries or suffering, whatever, and they keep going, and they are even enjoying more fame or anything than me or then someone's Why should I look another way? And keep going. So I think the young ones needs to always keep going, keep going, keep going. It's hard, you're injured, get your treatment sorted. Take your time. Get ready. It's it's a process, it's progress. It's, you know, you come back and you keep going. But I also came back from injury, I was timing, I came quicker than I should, forgetting the, um, the record signing and all the funds are waiting for me at the shine. But I can't, not because I don't want to but my body's not letting me do it for a period of time, then you're able to show but for that period of time, you're receiving criticism. And you're starting to doubt yourself, but it's not your ability is not your quality is not, it's just that your body's not ready yet to perform at that level, because you've been out for a long time. So this thing that I learned also, and I took it good to become, I think a better player now, especially mentally. And I use that to forge me for the next years to come. Joe Partington The I mean, I mean, I know I've you know, watch the load of Swansea games this year that that you should be playing in the Premier League draft I think you know, I think that's, that's quite obvious. But now, you're obviously an incredibly important player at Swansea, you know, the best if not one of the best players in the championship. You know, you're also the Garner, Captain, you're what you're expected to do at the moment. And the pressure obviously has moved again, to be in such a an important part of every team that you're in. How can you describe for people how that feels, and what sort of pressure you might be under every game every day to you know, to create an environment where people are on your level and that you're trying to get to the level where you should be Andre Ayew good one is a good one. I think it's first of all, this is a personal point of view. I feel proud to be important everywhere I've been everywhere I've been it's for me it's it means a lot because it's different managers different tactics, different style of play different players and addressing and you being be being able to be important and most of all the clubs I've been up it's it's for me great and proves me a lot of my mentality or my quality and etc but I'm beside that Being here club which I really really feel at home I really really love the fans homey and and when I wear the Swansea Jersey I feel like it's something personal it's a different vibe you know when are the messages yeah I used to wear as a fan you know as a young fan who is achieving his dream so you have something different and to be fair with Swansea, it came along the line is not something that as soon as I came to Swansea, I was the biggest fan of Swansea. But I learned, you get what I mean, I was happy straight away. They've made me feel at home, things went on well, and I learned to become like one of them. It is what it is. I'm not gonna lie and say Yeah, as soon as I sign, I was a commie. And they love me, I love them. No, it was something that came with came quick, came quick, but it came with time, I must say it was I was a fan of Marseille when I was growing up. So it was just normal. So having up power, to be able to have a lot of let's say a lot of influence in the dressing room. Or in all the places I've been with the individual off the pitch for me, has been for me great, you know, and I've grown up with that and be the leader of my national team, etc. So trying to set up that mentality in a dressing room to win games. It's not easy, it's hard. Because we have a lot of young players here. And different with different plants different movement. Now, like I said, the mentalities of change is not the same, isn't that you can change it, it's the fact is not the same. And a lot of the younger ones have a lot of agents around them that also sometimes they lose a lot of confidence for the agents don't make them feel good or whatever, sometimes they think that they're bigger than what they are. So it's, it's that adapt, but forgetting the most importantly, it's the group and if everyone can keep growing individually, on the pitch, and off the pitch will make us a better team. So for me, the target always in Swansea has been trying to go up. It's true that the club has not, you know, as it lost a lot of players in the past few years and it's hard to take for for me as a player for the fans. But we we are building something here and we've built something here in the past two years, which I think has a bright future and needs to keep going because you have this kind of people Routledge notes and me myself, Bennett, guys who have also been at the highest at the highest level and seeing different sort of players and seeing different things. I've been here for a very long time. So I think we tried to set up a mentality not only for the young ones, but even for ourselves. Because if you want to be if I want to tell someone something, and I want him to listen to me, if I don't be an example, on the pitch of the pitch, how is he going to listen to what I'm saying? It's it is it, that's how it is. So to eat quite a bit shorter, it's just for me great to to have all all this, you know, experience in my career and be able to bring it to, to this younger ones now, through I want to go back to the highest level, that's my mentality, then I'm lying. If I don't go back to the highest level for me or I failed, you know, I need to go back to the highest level personally, or love with Swansea, you know, but that's what I mean is it's just who I am. But I had this thing in me that I wanted to make sure that I can do everything for somebody to come back. And that's also my personal pride, ego, whatever that drives me into, into ambitions into objectives. So I'm going to do everything possible to make sure we try and go up and then we're caught again. See To do more in the future Joe Partington we're going to finish Andre with some quickfire questions. I'm just gonna come at you and and see where we go. But number one is your best moment in football. And there's been a lot so stiff difficult to pick one. I'll say when in doubt the 20 World Cup. Yeah. Your worst moment when I lost the African Cup final was the best player you've played with. best player I've played everywhere a few an offer an offer? Yeah. Best plays played against. Andre Ayew So what's your Joe Partington biggest regret? If if any best advice you've ever received. Andre Ayew Always be yourself. Keeping yourself don't try to be someone for someone or be yourself and what work better. Joe Partington The best atmosphere you've played in. Andre Ayew Fenerbahce Masi velodrome Fenerbahce velodrome is my home so it's the stadium but let's say noise Yes. Between the two Yeah, my say Joe Partington pretty good. Pretty good. Ridiculous. What piece of advice would you give to a young Andre I Andre Ayew think I gave him already that advice. But I would maybe say maybe be less when I was young be less less in a hurry to succeed. Be a bit patient. Yeah. Joe Partington I mean, on the flip side of that these that elite mentality that you have those has led you to so much success that true it's difficult to go to your current career ambition. Andre Ayew Promotion with Swansea get back to playing at the highest, highest level, international and woke up come in. A lot of a lot of things coming you need to be very ready. Joe Partington And last last one may is the best advice to give to young players who want to become professional footballers. Andre Ayew And never give up. Your dream is always a dream. That couldn't be doable. If you give everything that you have and whether is going wrong or going back. Never give up until the last moment, even the last moment keep going. Joe Partington Very powerful. Andre, thank you incredible guy. Incredible career much. I really appreciate your time. Thank you, you guys, thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoyed the episode with Andrea as much as I did, and have some lessons and takeaways to put into your game and try a training tomorrow. Remember to subscribe, like and review this show via podcast channel and press the bell button so you never miss a release if you're watching us on YouTube. So the PErforM website for even more football specific information, and subscribe to our mailing list to get all the best actionable advice straight to your inbox for free. I'm Joe Partington. See you soon